Álvaro Urbanos Jiménez (Madrid, 1990) is a pianist and composer whose artistic profile is marked by vigorous pianism and an inventive, sincere musicality. His work spans solo piano and chamber music, along with an extensive body of transcriptions, and he combines creation, performance, and teaching.

His musical language blends resources from the classical tradition and jazz in an organic way: chromaticism, expressively conceived dissonances, complex harmonies, and sections with an improvisatory feel give his writing flexibility and a distinctive voice. This balance of rigor and freedom underpins both his original works and his transcriptions, shaping a recognizable artistic identity.

That personal stamp has also earned public recognition. In 2018 he won Second Prize at the Oskar Rieding International Competition for Young Performers and Composers (Celje, Slovenia), and in the same year he appeared as pianist in the premiere of Le Prochain, a short film by Raúl Herrera featuring works by J. S. Bach, a production distinguished at several festivals—notably receiving a special mention in the United States as “Best Dramatic Short Film” (New York City Film Infest). More recently, he received First Prize for original composition at the World Exceptional Musicians competition (United Kingdom, 2023), First Prize in composition at the Miami Intermusic Competition (2024), Second Prize (composition) at the World’s Best Musicians International Competition in Warsaw (2024), and First Prize (original composition) at the World Artistry Music Award (2024). He also won the First Absolute Prize at the Vivaldi Music Competition in the composition category and was a finalist in the second edition of the ArtePiano Composers’ Competition (Italy, 2025).

His first contact with the piano came at the age of nine, but it was not until he was seventeen that he began his formal training with Asmik Chakhalian at the Centro Superior Katarina Gurska, where he completed his professional studies. He later obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Solo Performance under the guidance of Yuri Ananiev and a Master’s degree in the same specialisation with Bruno Vlahek. He has furthered his training in classes with teachers such as Claudio Martínez-Mehner, Gustavo Díaz-Jerez, Marta Zabaleta, Mariana Gurkova, Lev Vinocour, Brenno Ambrosini and Eldar Nebolsin, and has attended masterclasses as an auditor with Ferenc Rados and Jura Margulis.

In his teaching and professional career, he has been extensively active as both a teacher and a collaborative pianist. He has taught at the Escuela Municipal de Música de Horcajo de Santiago (Cuenca) (2013–2017), SEK-Ciudalcampo (2017–2021), the Escuela Popular de Música y Danza de Madrid (2017–2020) and the Escuela Internacional de Música Andana. As a répétiteur pianist, he has worked at Musical Marti and, in 2017, served as orchestral répétiteur on the postgraduate orchestral conducting programme directed by George Pehlivanian. From 2019 to 2025 he was a piano professor at the Centro Superior Katarina Gurska; in 2025 he was invited as a guest professor at the Summer Camp of the Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, and he is currently a staff accompanist at the Conservatorio de Danza José Antonio Ruiz de Albacete.

Comments from those who have experienced his teaching first-hand

“What I would highlight about Álvaro is his deep knowledge of piano technique as well as of the history and evolution of the instrument. This knowledge makes my lessons with him very enriching and engaging. His corrections are always timely, patient and encouraging, motivating the student to keep progressing.”

Miguel Anacoreta, piano student for three years

“Álvaro is an outstanding piano teacher. He has a great deal of experience and knows how to adapt very well to each student’s needs. His teaching is truly personalised, and he shows great patience and dedication, surely because he is a real music lover.”

Álvaro García, piano student for two years

“I value my lessons with Álvaro very highly because they are both intensive and enjoyable, managing at all times to keep you focused and motivated, as he knows how to convey his great passion for music. For all these reasons, I have greatly enjoyed his classes and my experience has been very positive.”

Joaquín Sánchez, piano student for one year

“Álvaro is an exceptional teacher, with truly outstanding knowledge not only of piano technique but also of what lies behind each piece. He is an excellent choice for anyone wishing to enter this world.”

Arturo Melero, father of a piano student

“Álvaro is a wonderful teacher: professional and fully committed. I am a teacher myself, and I wish all educators approached teaching the way he does; with him, progress and results are guaranteed. He is caring and considerate, and pays close attention to the personal and musical growth of his students. My daughter goes to his lessons, she has fun while learning and she is happy – and so am I, seeing her like that. He not only teaches her piano, he teaches her to love what she does, and that is tremendous – a key aim in education. He embodies all the trust one expects in a teacher to whom you can confidently entrust such an important part of your child’s education.”

Marbelys Zamora, mother of a piano student